In 1979, Pontiac offered the Firebird in several different models ranging from the base Firebird up to the Trans Am. In between those extremes was the more sedate Esprit and the performance-oriented Formula. I have owned several 1979 Formulas and Trans Ams but never a base Firebird or Esprit model. This car is a 1979 Pontiac Firebird Esprit equipped with the economy-minded 301 cubic inch V8 and automatic transmission. The Esprit is located in Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey. There are 5 days left in the auction here on eBay and the bids have reached $7,700. However, the reserve is not met at this time.
The Esprit appears to be loaded with several nice options including the deluxe interior which gave the buyer upgraded seats and door panels. The car also has air conditioning, tilt steering, gauge package, rear defrost, and Delco AM/FM/CB radio. The odometer reads approximately 98,000 miles and the seller states that the car was owned by the same family from new to 2019.
The car is powered by Pontiac’s 301 cubic inch V8 motor which was developed for introduction in 1977. The engine was lighter than the full-size engines at the time but only produced 155 horsepower and about 240 lb-ft of torque. The engine compartment on this car is very clean and appears well maintained. The two-tone exterior paint is unique and I am not sure that the car left the factory like this. It is similar to the W50 option that came on the Formula models but the dark red or maroon paint does not contrast well with the red paint. The red paint should be Code 75 which Pontiac called Mayan Red. I have a 1979 W72 Formula in this color and it is bright and looks great on 2nd generation Firebirds.
The seller is the second owner and states that there is lots of original paperwork that comes with the Esprit. One unique feature is that this car is equipped with the Pontiac “Formula” wheel which was standard on the Trans Am and optional on the Formula. It is a smaller diameter steering wheel that is heaving padded and the horn button is in the center. The car is fitted with aftermarket wheels and black wall tires. It should make a nice driver.
Someone’s messing’ with the BF staff-the eBay link didn’t transfer on this one either..
From what’s seen here it’s a great daily driver for the “vintage” car Pontiac owner, though an engine rebuild with ANY well-sorted Gofast parts would probably make for a more enjoyable commute.
Valid question and point, Chester. Though our local highway is becoming increasingly choked with inexperienced/P!$$ poor/bad/rude drivers moving here, we’ve more than our share of entertaining side roads here at the edge of the Sierras to help find the Zen moment we seek when needed..
The fastest route from point to point isn’t necessarily always the straightest road.
Getting rid of the hood vents by the cowl in ’77, i wonder if ’77s-’81s had poorer astroventilation air flow into the interior on non a/c cars than ’70-76s.
I wonder why pontiac didn’t just bring back the 326 v8 & fit aluminum heads. to save weight. 301 development was unnec IMO.
Probably because the Pontiac engineers knew better than the average enthusiast??
They did the best they could given the government constraints and what they were given to work with
Never understood why Pontiac changed the nose but Chevrolet didn’t on the Camaro. The ’77-’78 nose is so much nicer.
James Garner would agree, as he kept the ’78 Firebirds through 1980, on The Rockford Files.
Your right ADM…however…I have grown to like this final redux so I would convert it to a Rockbird!